Marbleous School Memories

By Kieran

 Marbleous School Memories


 
Original artwork and nostalgic poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, remembering school mornings before the bell rang

 

Who remembers playing with 'goti' with glass marbles of different hues?
‘Circle goli’ when opponents marbles were knocked out or else you'd lose

In goli-gitte one had to sink the banta (or striker) into a hole first
Then it got powers to capture the opponent's marbles in a burst

There were always a few boys who had mastered the art of winning a lot. 
They'd come early to school and fill their pockets with loot until caught

'Twas hard not to strut about with pockets full of marbles jingling aloud
An' watch them getting confiscated; to win them back again made them proud

Comments

Anonymous said…
Impressive. The shadows are so realistic.. beautiful pic and the last line hit a chord. 'Banta' heard it after years (WhatsApp comment from a very dear school friend)
January 26, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Kieran said…
Thanks Hillary- light and shadow is my current focus. Orlando, Choksey, Soli and Rohinton were champs in our time - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I loved the blend of colours and the jingle. 👍 (WhatsApp comment from a dear friend in Auckland, NZ)
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Kieran said…
Thank you, Indu. Vinod was the one who would win at marbles only to have me lose them all - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Anonymous said…
Lovely painting....this was one of the sports I never managed to pick up, but I used to collect these.. (WhatsApp comment from a very dear friend in Pune)
January 26, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Kieran said…
Thanks Ajay. My younger brother Vinod, was an ace at winning in marbles only to have me lose it all. He never once complained - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Anonymous said…
I knew how terrible I was at it, so I never risked losing them..😂😂😂 (Reply to the above Comment)
January 26, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Kieran said…
Smart move 😊 - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Anonymous said…
I remember my brothers returning home with their well earned marbles. Had a huge collection. (WhatsApp comment from a dear friend in Pune)
January 26, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Kieran said…
I wonder which rich poor boy was financing their vast collection 🤭 - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Anonymous said…
❣️ the colours in the marbles (WhatsApp comment from a very dear relative in Goa)
January 26, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Kieran said…
The varied colours was certainly part of their charm ❣️- Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Anonymous said…
Good days during lunch break in school (WhatsApp comment from a dear school friend)
January 26, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Kieran said…
It was quite fun to watch even during the short break in the corner near the jungle gym 😊 - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Anonymous said…
Nostalgic moments !!! (WhatsApp comment from a dear school friend)
January 26, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Kieran said…
Yes, Rakesh. I remember Mr Pacheco waiting for the school bell to ring, then confiscating marbles from Orlando, Yezdi, Rohinton and Soli - especially on Saturday -then throwing them into the playground during PT and everyone would run to collect their share of the loot. 🤭 - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Anonymous said…
Seeing the marbles took me back to my days at home,when I was growing up and I used to play with my neighbor's sons and I would win all their marbles.I was good at that game. (WhatsApp comment from a very very dear friend in Calgay, Canada)
January 26, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Kieran said…
Oh wow. You of all people A Beryl? I would never have guessed … 💪👌 You know who was also good at marbles? Sunita Misquita nee Barneto - Terezinha’s daughter. She would beat all the boys in the neighborhood 🥇 - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Anonymous said…
😂😂 those were such happy days. (Reply to above comment also on WhatsApp)
January 26, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Kieran said…
You two must’ve terrorized those young boys 🤭 I wouldn’t be surprised if those boys were scarred for life. Serves the male ego right!! - Kieran
January 26, 2026 at 7:57 PM
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